§ Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 2 March, what is the inconsistency which exists between the wording of regulation 10 of Statutory Instrument 1982, number 1576, and the maximum total weights of locomotives and trailers prescribed in regulations 82 and 83 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1978.
§ Mr. David HowellRegulation 82 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1978 sets limits for the laden weight of a locomotive depending on its construction to a maximum of 30,490 kilograms. The 301W associated regulation, number 83 limits the total weight of all the trailers drawn by it to a maximim of 40,650 kilograms. The total weight of a locomotive with all its trailers can amount to 71,140 kilograms. These vehicles are of course only used for special purposes such as the transport of abnormal indivisible loads.
Regulation 10 of Statutory Instrument 1982 No. 1576 was intended to be a simple restatement and tabulation of the requirements prescribed at greater length in regulation 87 of the 1978 regulations. In simplifying the wording, the words "motor vehicle" were used instead of the original words "motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car". This had the unintended effect of bringing locomotives within the scope of regulation 87 which prescribes a maximum combination weight of 32,520 kilograms.